The $100 million reprieve

A spate of heavy rainfall in southern Alberta led to flood warnings and watches throughout the region, but officials said the wet weather ended without significant damage.

The recent bout of heavy rain paled in comparison with the storm that led to the 2013 flood ,which submerged large sections of downtown Calgary and caused billions of dollars in damage.

About 100 millimetres of rain in 3 days

About 100 millimetres of rain hit the region in just a few days, surpassing the monthly average of 80 millimetres for June – typically Calgary’s wettest month.

The heavy rain led to flood warnings and watches throughout the region and localized flooding in several communities in southern Alberta.

No widespread flooding expected

Jamie Stopa, a spokesperson for the City of Calgary, said some low-lying areas and pathways could still be affected, but the city does not expect widespread flooding.

The City of Lethbridge said the Oldman River is under a high stream flow advisory, but low-risk.

What's next for Alberta's flood preparedness?

Ryan Fournier, press secretary to Alberta Environment Minister Grant Hunter, said the rain this week was not out of the ordinary.

‘This is a well-understood meteorological pattern that has occurred many times throughout Alberta’s history,’ Mr. Fournier said.

Open questions

While officials say the recent bout of heavy rain was not out of the ordinary, the region's flood preparedness remains a pressing concern.

What measures will be taken to mitigate the impact of future heavy rainfall events?

Will the recent close call prompt changes to Alberta's flood preparedness strategies?